Sheffield, England - 1951

The kids' ball has gone over the Star Woman's fence and 12 year -old Billy Perks is the one to go over and get it. She has a reputation for being mean and wants no one to come onto her property. When Billy finds that the ball has rolled into her back door and he has to get it, he doesn't expect to find her lying dead on the floor.

The police make short work of her death, but Billy has noticed a few things that are out of place. Enlisting his friends, Yvonne Sparks and Kick Morley, they form a team and take on the job of trying to solve the mysterious murder of the Star Woman. Using movie detective characters portrayed by the likes of Humphrey Bogard and Dick Barton as role models, they methodically investigate the clues and comments they come upon. Unknowingly they also stir up long buried secrets and wartime betrayals and conspiracies that could be deadly to them.

Written for older teens and adults, it provides some fun reading with a lot of twists and turns along the way. Gives you somethings to think about while trying to solve the mystery. There is a glossary in the back to help with definitions of the local slang spoken in the Sheffield area. ( )

This book caught my eye because, like the author, I'm from Sheffield and the book is set in Sheffield and I always like to read books set on my home turf. However, I'm sure anybody would enjoy reading Tuppenny Hat Detective, whether from the area or not.

Set in 1951, the book features 11 year old Billy Perks who, along with his two pals, Yvonne and Kick, starts to investigate the death of the old 'Star Woman', a lady who used to sell the Sheffield Star newspaper. Billy is convinced that there's more to it than meets the eye and he gets himself into all sorts of situations trying to find out.

It's a charming story. It made me smile whilst reading it and is very well plotted. I had no idea whodunnit until it was revealed at the end. This is a book for adults and teenagers and is written with great intelligence. It features schoolchildren but it's definitely not a kids book.

It really was a pleasure to read and I hope Brian Sellars will write more in a similar vein in the not too distant future. ( )